Nine tips to get you started

The basic idea behind mindfulness meditation is simple: you sit in a comfortable position and focus on something like your breathing.

When your mind wanders, you bring it back to its original task.

The goal of mindfulness meditation is not about achieving a state of bliss – although that can be a pleasant side effect. It’s about training yourself to recognise when you’re distracted from what you’re doing and, in time, not be so easily distracted. In other words, focus on one thing at a time.

Whether you’re just beginning to get into meditation or are already a regular, here are some tips for ensuring you get started and stay on the path:

1. Be motivated, dedicated, and disciplined even if you don’t enjoy it at first just like eating vegetables or exercising).
2. Set realistic goals and be kind to yourself even if you become uncomfortable, restless, impatient or emotional.
3. Let yourself be in the present – without wanting anything to be different.
4. Embrace it fully – rather than treating it as an escape from reality.
5. Prepare so you’re ready to meditate rather than coming up with excuses not to.
6. Be consistent. It’s better to do 5 to 10 minutes a day than one hour a week.
7. Start where you are. Like physical exercise, 20 minutes will be more beneficial than 10. So start small and try to work your way up to longer sessions.
8. Keep it simple – do a breath or relaxation meditation to get into the flow.
9. Stick with one style of meditation for a week before trying another one – so you don’t get overwhelmed with all the options out there.